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Bolt suffers surprise loss to Gay in 100m

(Agencies)
Updated: 2010-08-07 11:29

Tyson Gay of the US celebrates winning the men's 100 metres final ahead of Jamaica's Usain Bolt (not pictured) at the IAAF Diamond League "DN Galan" at Stockholm Olympic Stadium August 6, 2010. [Photo/Agencies]

STOCKHOLM - World record holder Usain Bolt lost his first 100 metres final in over two years when he was beaten into second by American Tyson Gay at a Diamond League meeting in Stockholm on Friday.

Gay got a good start and was narrowly ahead by halfway before storming clear to win in a meeting record of 9.84 seconds for his first victory over Bolt.

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The Jamaican triple Olympic champion, who had looked out of sorts in suffering his first defeat in 15 100 metres finals, was second in 9.94.

Bolt's previous loss was also in Stockholm in July 2008 when he finished behind compatriot Asafa Powell, who missed Friday's race because of a back injury.

"I know Usain Bolt is not in his best shape, but I'm still happy with the victory", Gay told reporters.

"My body worked well today, I was excited and motivated. The start was OK but I must admit I was surprised not seeing Usain in front after half the race," added Gay.

The American received a one-carat diamond for breaking the stadium record and planned to give it to his mother.

It was only the third occasion the two fastest sprinters of all time over 100 metres had met in competition. Their two previous clashes, at last year's world championships and in New York in 2008, resulted in world records for Bolt.

But the 23-year-old Jamaican has been troubled by an Achilles tendon problem this season and is unable to run over 200 metres for fear of further injury.

"I need to work on my strength, my strength is really low", Bolt told reporters, adding he had been put off when the athletes were twice asked to stand up from the blocks before the start of the race.

"I start fastest when the gun fires quickly, that's when I'm ready to go," he said.

Bolt, whose world record stands at 9.58, Gay and Powell are scheduled to race over 100 metres at the final Diamond League meeting in Brussels on Aug. 27.